Burgundy XI defeat White XI in intrasquad scrimmage

Commerce City, Colo. - The week of training ended Friday with a 70-minute intrasquad scrimmage on the main training field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Burgundy XI defeated the White XI 3-2 with a late goal by Tony Cascio. Andre Akpan, Ross LaBaux, Kamani Hill, and Joseph Nane also scored in an intense and at times chippy contest.

"We wanted to give competition to the players who didn't play this week," Oscar Pareja said afterwards. "With the weekend off, we wanted this group of players to play a strong simulated game, and I think they did very well."

Andre Akpan put the Burgundy side up in the first period, but Ross LaBauex equalized for the White side minutes into the second half. Kamani Hill then curled in a free kick over the wall from 25 yards out to give the Whites their first lead, only to see Nane hit a rope from the run of play from 25 yards to equalize for Burgundy. Cascio then closed out the scoring by hitting a shot past Ian Joyce from a tight angle with two minutes to play.

Collegiate players JJ Cobalt, Pat Slogic, Santiago Velez, Brendan Hines-Ike, and Paolo Del Piccolo, who have been training with a select U-23 select side at DSG Park this summer, joined trialist Brett Evans and Academy midfielder Dillon Serna to round out the teams.

The 11 players that started Wednesday's match against San Jose did a short regeneration session inside the stadium. Kosuke Kimura was held out of the scrimmage with sore legs, and Stew Ceus was excused to attend to personal matters.

"It's very nice to finally have all the players available and healthy," Oscar Pareja said afterwards. "And it was also a good opportunity to take a look at some young players in a training session, possibly for the future."

The full team has Saturday and Sunday off and will return to training Monday to prepare for the match against the Portland Timbers on June 30 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.